The source from whence this Work proceeds will be a sufficient guarantee for the facts it contains. A high sense of duty and honor has prompted these details which have for many years been on the eve of publication. It will be worthy of the perusal of THE GREAT because it will serve as a mirror, and they who do not see themselves, or their actions reflected, will not take offence at the _unvarnished Picture_--it may afford real benefit to the Statesman and Politician, by the ample testimony it gives, that when _Justice is perverted_, the most lamentable consequences ensue; and to that class of Society whose station is more humble, it may unfold the designing characters by whom they have so frequently been deceived. _They only_ are competent to detail the scenes and intrigues of _a Court_, who have been most intimately acquainted with it, and it must at all times be acknowledged, that it is a climate not very conducive to the growth of Virtue, not very frequently the abode of Truth--yet although its atmosphere is so tainted, its giddy crowd is thought enviably happy. The fallacy of such opinions is here set forth to public view, by one who has spent much of her time in _the interior of a Court_, and whose immediate knowledge of the then passing events, give ability to narrate them faithfully. Many, very many, facts are here omited, which hereafter shall appear, and there is little doubt, but that some general good may result from an unprejudiced and calm perusal of the subjects subjoined. "PREFACE."